Post Falls man dead after crashing into train

A Post Falls man is dead after the car he was driving crashed into the side of the passing train northeast of Rathdrum early Sunday morning.

Albert P. Brunner, 53, was driving a 1993 Mitsubishi 3000 GT southbound on Ramsey Road near Diagonal Road about 12:43 a.m. He crashed though the crossing arms, which were in the down position, and into the side of an eastbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train about 17 cars back from the train’s engine, according to a news release from the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.

A passing motorist reported finding a severely damaged car in the middle of Ramsey near the train crossing. The train’s operators were unaware of the accident, and continued on for about 15 miles until notified of the incident, the sheriff’s department said. Parts of Brunner’s vehicle were found still attached to the rail car when it stopped in Bonner County, the news release said.

Brunner was declared dead at the scene, and the accident remains under investigation.